I am going to FV in two weeks and want to do some walking but Ryanair say I cannot take a walking pole on board. Having written to Ryanair they telephoned me and said it is airport security that ban them, not the airline. I will not be taking any checked bags; carry on only. Has anybody found a way round this problem? Surely many walkers want to take such poles.
Walking poles are specifically banned from being taken on to any aircraft. Applies at all UK Airports. The only way round it would be to put them inside a suitcase(if possible) and send them as hold luggage. As you have not planned on doing this I cant see a way round it, sorry.
You can take ski poles with skis in a ski bag as oversized luggage, can't see why if they are packed even in a long thin cardboard box they can't be taken as hold luggage. It's the only way, definitely not allowed as part of hand luggage.
My wife turned up at security a few years ago with a walking pole she was using as a walking stick. They wouldn't have it and sent us back to check it in. Fortunately it was Iberia via Madrid, so we did not have to pay. They just stuck a label on it and it came like any other checked bag.
I think I seen these for sale in the Chinese warehouse near Caleta probably not as good a quality that you are used to but might be a cheaper option.
If you don't want the hold luggage option then you will have to try to buy some on the island.
We bought 2 (all they had!) in December at the Chinese gift shop in Caleta - in the same block as Slowboat 2. We have looked again several times since and they have still not re-stocked. We paid €6 each and are well pleased with them - served us well for Pico de la Zarza, several volcano walks and many less strenuous walks as well. We have already worn out the rubber tips so have bought more in UK ready to bring out next time.
If you are trying the Chinese I mentioned the walking sticks/poles were in a tub just outside the shop door.
Quote from: lionfish on April 02, 2013, 07:54:23 AM
If you don't want the hold luggage option then you will have to try to buy some on the island.
We bought 2 (all they had!) in December at the Chinese gift shop in Caleta - in the same block as Slowboat 2. We have looked again several times since and they have still not re-stocked. We paid €6 each and are well pleased with them - served us well for Pico de la Zarza, several volcano walks and many less strenuous walks as well. We have already worn out the rubber tips so have bought more in UK ready to bring out next time.
If you are trying the Chinese I mentioned the walking sticks/poles were in a tub just outside the shop door.
Thank you. This is very helpful. I had wondered whether I could buy such poles locally so I will now have a look around. It is not the case of not wanting to use hold luggage but rather to do so is daft as I certainly do not want to pay £20 to check-in a bag just to take a walking pole. Last year I spent two weeks on FV with only a carry on bag as I wear so little, often nothing, that a carry on bag is fine - except for this pole issue. So thanks to all the respondents here.
The Chinese warehouse on the industrial estate, near IKEA had them earlier this year, Liofish is referring to the Chinese shop in Caleta.
Hope you can find them and enjoy your walking
If case anyone is still looking to buy walking poles I saw them in 2 shops in Las Rotundas (Puerto Del Rosario) today.
Sportzone had a small number priced at about €6.60 each.
Intersport had a larger stock and at least 3 different makes/prices starting from about €11 for a pair.